Mother is the one who cares for me
She keeps me safe, like a big tree.
Her smile is soft, her heart is kind
She always has me on her mind.

SHE teaches me what is good and what’s bad
She is always with me when I’m sad.
God says he can’t be everywhere
So he gave me a mom who always cares and shares
Who helps me grow, layer by layer.

She is important because she loves me everyday
She teaches me what’s right in a simple way.
Sure, She scolds me a little
But she’s always with me when I’m ill.

You are useless if your mom becomes sad because of you
Mom is like a diamond, always cherish and know her value.

By Mayank Yadav, age 12, Jharkhand, India.

Student life

Student life is not easy at all,
Sometimes we rise, sometimes we fall.
We smile outside and try to be strong,
But inside we feel something is wrong.

We study hard day and night,
Still grades decide if we are “right.”
We get tired but don’t give up,
We keep trying and keep growing up.

Some days we feel happy and bright,
Some days we cry alone at night.
YET every day teaches us something new—
How to be brave, and how to push through.

Student life has pain and fear,
But also hope that keeps our heads above water.
One day all our hard work will matter,
And the world will see how far we can soar.

By Mayank Yadav, age 12, Jharkand, India.

A Middle-Class Family

We don’t have gold or cars so wide,
But we have love and joy inside.
Papa works hard from morning till night,
Mummy’s care makes everything right

School bag old, but dreams so high,
Wishing stars in a small sky.
We save, we share, we sometimes wait,
Still smile together, call it fate.

No big house or fancy ride,
But strong hearts walk side by side.
Festivals simple, but full of cheer,
Happiness grows when all are near.

We may not be rich in money or fame,
But middle-class love is never lame!

By Mayank Yadav, age 12, Jharkand, India.

Under the Water

Under the water, deep and wide,
Fish and turtles swim and glide.
Crabs walk slowly on the sand,
Jellyfish move like a magic band.
Octopus hides behind a rock,
Starfish sleeps near a sea-shell clock.
Dolphins jump and play all day,
In the ocean, far away.

Waves above and calm below,
Under the sea, the magic flows.
Seahorses float, so small and sweet,
Tiny shells lie near their feet.
Bright blue fish go zip and zoom,
Dancing gently in ocean’s room.
Come with me, let’s take a ride,
To the sea world, deep inside!

By Mayank Yadav, age 12, Jharkand, India. He lives in the Province of Jharkhand, in an extended family—with his father (Ranjan), mother (Kumari Sangita), older sister (Shreya Ranjan), grandfather (Kedarnath), and grandmother (Bina Devi).